Today is Monday and it was to be the last day at the house for all the workmen. Mohammad has been counting down for at least a couple of weeks. But it is 5.45 pm and the news is that the painters need to come back tomorrow to finish some things and the electrician will be back after 3 days to put the lights in the hallway outside the front door and over the front door. But tonight he will finish all the inside work, so we will be here until he does.
Later the same night
Sorry, little break – we just went down to the local shopping centre and got some bread rolls and cheese and stuff for a sort of picnic meal (didn’t have lunch) with the electrician. The electrician is putting all the plates on the light switches and power points at the moment – am struggling to get them all on straight and I suspect that some of them won’t be which will likely drive me mad. Anyone who knows me knows how I am about crooked paintings etc.
The fly screens and outside awnings went up yesterday and last night we bought the bedroom lights we needed – Masry really did the choosing and I agreed although he chose the glass shades that I liked best for the lights in the main bedroom. They are all excellent and will do very nicely. So all the lights are now fitted (except for 2 wall lights in one bedroom, coz we couldn’t get any to match the main light and we think a wardrobe will have to go in front anyway). All this stuff doesn’t count the roof of course, there are many lights to go up there and the plumbing has to be finished up there also and the kitchen cupboard installed and the sink. So the roof has got a bit to do but the house is SO close. Oh yes, and most of the curtains go up on Wednesday. As long as it’s ready to live in next week – I must move on Monday at the latest.
When we went down to the shopping centre I noticed a sign on the first floor for a net café so tomorrow I will investigate and hopefully there will be one there, which of course will mean I do lots of cursing and looking back wishing I’d discovered it quite a few weeks ago – when I think of the time wasted sitting in traffic going to the other one in Dokki!!! But I guess that’s why looking back is a foolish pastime. So if there’s one there I’ll just be very grateful.
Mohammad must be exhausted – all day at the house he just walks around and around, helping out if he’s needed, fetching and carrying at times and just keeping an eye on everything. When we are here for 12 hours at a stretch he is basically standing and walking for all that time while I take my ease on the roof, sitting for all that time. I know he is looking forward to it being finished, so that he can concentrate on the company for one reason I’m sure, but maybe also because he is tired. He is very uncomplaining, stoic really, and rarely says he is weary or hungry or anything else that indicates discomfort. He is quite wonderful about everything, he will do anything I ask and often he thinks to do things anyway that I don’t ask about. All-in-all I think I’m pretty lucky to have found him.
The carpenter also has to come back to finish off the doors – locks, handles and the glass inserts. I have been quite intrigued by the process to stain and finish the doors. In Oz we would simply grab a can of wood stain or Estapol or something and give them 2 or 3 coats. But here it has already been more than a week and they are not finished yet and they do something to them every day. They are using some kind of vile smelling stuff that goes on with a small air compressor and the doors have already had many coats, being sanded off in between each. Whatever it is, it sort of bubbles on the surface after it is put on and is drying. I’m wondering if it is old-fashioned shellac but I don’t know and no-one can tell me of course. They brush something on to the door surrounds, but they are not yet as dark as the doors. And whatever happens I guess they have to be sealed with some sort of gloss something as this brown stuff comes off on your fingers if you rub them across the surface. And the men are spraying it in the kitchen, definitely a confined space and no-one wears a mask or goggles or any of that stuff. Not even shoes!
Speaking of OH & S, yesterday the plumbers needed to move where the toilet was going in the bathroom on the roof. That was another interesting exercise to watch as they got a very thick but rather frayed rope, a single circular piece of canvas that had one big hook to attach it to the rope and they tied the rope around one of the poles on the roof and then the man put the sling sort of around his waist and climbed over into the light and air well and down he went. I assume he sort of sat in the sling while he did what he had to do to move the pipes. Quite amazing.
Tuesday morning
Well, instead of being at the cafe in the estate Mohammad has dropped me off at the regular net cafe in Dokki while he attends to a business appointment Downtown. It's good because I am here for a few hours before we go out to the house. It's quite warm here today, about 25 I think, so I'm out of jeans at last although I'm sure I'll be back in them when the khamseen is here. That's Egypt's cold desert wind that comes in March sometime, I've read that sand can even be blown in through the keyholes so we'll see how the new house survives it. Masry says it's miserable and lasts for about 3 days.
Looks like the weekend will be for moving... No more daily traffic woes! I have made a second foray out to Felfela from the house, again without problem, so hopefully my confidence will slowly build in regards to driving myself around. And finally my sense of direction seems to be coming back - very odd, maybe it's being in the northern hemisphere or something but I have been totally turned around and clueless - and now I can recognise quite a few of the roads and streets. If all goes well for Masry today he soon won't be around to drive me soon, he'll be busy at his office running his company so it will be get in the car or be a stay at home!
Somehow I've nearly managed to while away my three hours on the net but thank you to everyone for your emails - I love hearing from "home" so please keep them coming. Was thinking of everyone in Port Fairy over the weekend - I bet Folkie was just amazing again!
Lots of love to all
Lyndall
Tuesday 11 March 2008
More photos
The pyramids in sunshine and in shadow
Looking back towards the Al Haram area and the city
The walls and floor have some inbuilt decoration as well as the huge variety of tiles used to finish them. This is an example.
The roof looking out over the pyramids reserve towards Cairo, kitchen and bathroom on the left
Sunday 9 March 2008
Sorry for the delay
Tuesday
It’s been a real pain having the net café close down – I was actually feeling far more connected with the world there for a while and I miss it again. The weather is warming up, it’s quite warm up here on the roof today and lately I have spent a few days up here in short sleeves, although I have to put my jumper on again to leave – Masry says this is a traditional area and I can’t walk around in short sleeves – don’t know how that’s going to go when I live here and it’s the middle of summer. Guess I’m buying lots more of those fine cotton long sleeve shirts!
It’s all go at the house all of a sudden. Today there are painters, electricians, plumbers and the air-conditioning man all here working. Masry says it will all be finished by next Monday, kitchen excepted. That will take another week or so. And then it has to be cleaned up, our responsibility incidentally, not the tradesmen. At first Masry says that his sisters and I would do it but I told him I didn’t want his sisters’ first visit to the house to be to do work, so now it’s me and the wife of the doorman and maybe one of the other women from around the buildings nearby.
Mind you we still haven’t finished buying all the light fittings. The ones we chose for the main bedroom - they ended up only having one of them so we have to take something else. And there’s still one bedroom we haven’t chosen for. We went into the “electrical” area of Downtown last night but didn’t see anything we liked. Not sure what we will do, just know it has to be done by Sunday (the last day the electrician will be here). All the appliances and the jacuzzi bath got delivered yesterday and are sitting waiting to be installed by the plumber.
So, with the house being nearly finished and all it looks like I will be moving at the middle to end of next week, depends on when it is furnished I guess. At least once I am here, and as soon as it is connected, I will have the net at the house so that will be MUCH better.
One day next week Masry also has to go to Alex again to collect the two Toyota HiAce – Lahni he saw a picture of your van and says you can drive one if you like – come and stay and have a job, I’ll get to look after the baby – and get them organized onto the road. The two Coasters have both had work every day since he got them and have work lined up for the next couple of weeks. I’m sure that he will make a success of this; he’s very competent at everything he does so, insha’allah (God willing - in Egypt I must learn to say this a lot), the future looks fine.
I can hear lots of banging going on down beneath me – I hope that no-one is damaging the tiles or beautiful walls – might go down for a quick look shortly. The plumber was pretty rough yesterday and now around the taps we have chipped tiles that you can see – will have to get the ceramics man to do something about that I guess. We’re getting him back to make some repairs and finishing on the roof so maybe he will be able to make some small fixes to the damage as well. The electrician also managed to make a problem around a couple of switches; again, we’ll see what the ceramics man can do.
We’ve made some adjustments to colours, the main living area is now broken into 3 with one part pale grey (entryway etc.) one part white and one part that beige/string colour. One bedroom is green, one white and the main one is blue. Masry says if we don’t like it we’ll get it re-painted in a year or so. We’ll see how it goes.
Thursday
Well, as you can see, didn’t get to the net café yesterday – we were at the house for 12 hours – Masry likes to supervise the guys as I’ve said. We didn’t eat until almost 6.00 pm, must be what it’s like in Ramadan (the fasting month) when you don’t eat between sunrise and sunset. One loo visit in the day (can't wait until the plumbing is finished!)and we left at 10.30 pm.
Most of the electrical work is done and most of the painting and the air conditioners are all finished and the plumbing about one third done. Today the windows go in and more painting to be completed and more plumbing. Tomorrow will be a day of rest; I won’t see Masry as they are having people to visit in the afternoon.
Have had a break in the day – I just made my first drive by myself to go anywhere significant – I went down to the coffee shop at the servo and also to Felfela to get lunch, about 45 minutes to an hour what with the traffic and all although it’s really about 20 minutes max there and back if you had a clear run. I went by myself and wasn’t nearly as nervous as I am with Mohammad in the car and I didn’t have any problems so feel much better having achieved that once. I’m sure there were times when some of the horns were being blown at me but I just ignored all that; there are so many horns going how was I to know? At least that’s how I rationalised it. I’m sure I didn’t cause any accidents.
Most of the windows are in – very nice. The painters are still sanding and patching after the first coat in some places and two coats in others, doing some cover up after a few places the air con guys left marks etc. Couldn’t see that the plumbers had made much progress in the morning – Mohammad says “nothing new” even though there are 4 of them there. We’ll go out after the windows and doors are in I gather.
The lift is now working – which is a good thing and a bad thing. Mohammad came and got me when it was installed – “come, you will be the first” so we went for its first official trip up and down. It’s tiny but nice. So it’s a good thing that sometimes the lift is there but then I don’t get the exercise so I try to still go up and down the stairs a fair bit. But the lift is good late at night when the stairs are so dark you get to feel your way down – taking the lift is then an excellent option.
It’s hard to believe that next week I will be moving out here. Not that we have any furniture yet mind you – I think on Saturday we are going to get the first of it. We’ll begin for certain with one bedroom and all of the living area, then the other two bedrooms. Some things we have chosen, some not. I’m sure there will be a flurry of activity Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
It feels hot today – I think I am going to find summer VERY hot, given that we have just barely finished winter.
Saturday
Well, as you can see, I still haven’t been to the net but tomorrow morning I think.
Meanwhile, today we spent at the house all day again, the plumber is almost finished and the painter will finish on Monday. The electrician comes Monday to finish off and we still haven’t bought the lights. We went to two places on the way home tonight and couldn’t see anything. Will go to another 2 on the way tomorrow – there’s one right beside the net café (and it was closed when we got here!). The other one is where we got the other lights and I figure even though there wasn’t anything we loved (or liked) before we’ll just have to make some choices anyway.
The rest of the screens go on the doors and windows tomorrow. The carpenter will come after Monday to finish off the doors which are still being stained. The curtains for everywhere except the “reception” (well the outside ones, the blackouts are done) will be put up on Thursday. We didn’t get to go buying furniture today – soon I hope. As soon as Masry gets his head a bit clear of company matters I guess. But I have to move in one week’s time. So I hope I have a bed at least. It’s great to see the ensuite finished and the big bathroom mostly, just no bench for the basin yet or towel racks etc. Everything else is in. I think it is going to be a beautiful house, it’s already got a nice feel.
I was going to have a fairly early night but Saturday Night Fever has just come on TV so I might just have to watch it all over again. Mind you I think I like the older John Travolta better but I need to brush up on my disco skills…. Hmmm his body wasn’t half bad really…. And Ley – I think you have those moves just right….
Anyway, soon I’m sure I’ll have more news than house news…
Lots of love to everyone
Lyndall
It’s been a real pain having the net café close down – I was actually feeling far more connected with the world there for a while and I miss it again. The weather is warming up, it’s quite warm up here on the roof today and lately I have spent a few days up here in short sleeves, although I have to put my jumper on again to leave – Masry says this is a traditional area and I can’t walk around in short sleeves – don’t know how that’s going to go when I live here and it’s the middle of summer. Guess I’m buying lots more of those fine cotton long sleeve shirts!
It’s all go at the house all of a sudden. Today there are painters, electricians, plumbers and the air-conditioning man all here working. Masry says it will all be finished by next Monday, kitchen excepted. That will take another week or so. And then it has to be cleaned up, our responsibility incidentally, not the tradesmen. At first Masry says that his sisters and I would do it but I told him I didn’t want his sisters’ first visit to the house to be to do work, so now it’s me and the wife of the doorman and maybe one of the other women from around the buildings nearby.
Mind you we still haven’t finished buying all the light fittings. The ones we chose for the main bedroom - they ended up only having one of them so we have to take something else. And there’s still one bedroom we haven’t chosen for. We went into the “electrical” area of Downtown last night but didn’t see anything we liked. Not sure what we will do, just know it has to be done by Sunday (the last day the electrician will be here). All the appliances and the jacuzzi bath got delivered yesterday and are sitting waiting to be installed by the plumber.
So, with the house being nearly finished and all it looks like I will be moving at the middle to end of next week, depends on when it is furnished I guess. At least once I am here, and as soon as it is connected, I will have the net at the house so that will be MUCH better.
One day next week Masry also has to go to Alex again to collect the two Toyota HiAce – Lahni he saw a picture of your van and says you can drive one if you like – come and stay and have a job, I’ll get to look after the baby – and get them organized onto the road. The two Coasters have both had work every day since he got them and have work lined up for the next couple of weeks. I’m sure that he will make a success of this; he’s very competent at everything he does so, insha’allah (God willing - in Egypt I must learn to say this a lot), the future looks fine.
I can hear lots of banging going on down beneath me – I hope that no-one is damaging the tiles or beautiful walls – might go down for a quick look shortly. The plumber was pretty rough yesterday and now around the taps we have chipped tiles that you can see – will have to get the ceramics man to do something about that I guess. We’re getting him back to make some repairs and finishing on the roof so maybe he will be able to make some small fixes to the damage as well. The electrician also managed to make a problem around a couple of switches; again, we’ll see what the ceramics man can do.
We’ve made some adjustments to colours, the main living area is now broken into 3 with one part pale grey (entryway etc.) one part white and one part that beige/string colour. One bedroom is green, one white and the main one is blue. Masry says if we don’t like it we’ll get it re-painted in a year or so. We’ll see how it goes.
Thursday
Well, as you can see, didn’t get to the net café yesterday – we were at the house for 12 hours – Masry likes to supervise the guys as I’ve said. We didn’t eat until almost 6.00 pm, must be what it’s like in Ramadan (the fasting month) when you don’t eat between sunrise and sunset. One loo visit in the day (can't wait until the plumbing is finished!)and we left at 10.30 pm.
Most of the electrical work is done and most of the painting and the air conditioners are all finished and the plumbing about one third done. Today the windows go in and more painting to be completed and more plumbing. Tomorrow will be a day of rest; I won’t see Masry as they are having people to visit in the afternoon.
Have had a break in the day – I just made my first drive by myself to go anywhere significant – I went down to the coffee shop at the servo and also to Felfela to get lunch, about 45 minutes to an hour what with the traffic and all although it’s really about 20 minutes max there and back if you had a clear run. I went by myself and wasn’t nearly as nervous as I am with Mohammad in the car and I didn’t have any problems so feel much better having achieved that once. I’m sure there were times when some of the horns were being blown at me but I just ignored all that; there are so many horns going how was I to know? At least that’s how I rationalised it. I’m sure I didn’t cause any accidents.
Most of the windows are in – very nice. The painters are still sanding and patching after the first coat in some places and two coats in others, doing some cover up after a few places the air con guys left marks etc. Couldn’t see that the plumbers had made much progress in the morning – Mohammad says “nothing new” even though there are 4 of them there. We’ll go out after the windows and doors are in I gather.
The lift is now working – which is a good thing and a bad thing. Mohammad came and got me when it was installed – “come, you will be the first” so we went for its first official trip up and down. It’s tiny but nice. So it’s a good thing that sometimes the lift is there but then I don’t get the exercise so I try to still go up and down the stairs a fair bit. But the lift is good late at night when the stairs are so dark you get to feel your way down – taking the lift is then an excellent option.
It’s hard to believe that next week I will be moving out here. Not that we have any furniture yet mind you – I think on Saturday we are going to get the first of it. We’ll begin for certain with one bedroom and all of the living area, then the other two bedrooms. Some things we have chosen, some not. I’m sure there will be a flurry of activity Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
It feels hot today – I think I am going to find summer VERY hot, given that we have just barely finished winter.
Saturday
Well, as you can see, I still haven’t been to the net but tomorrow morning I think.
Meanwhile, today we spent at the house all day again, the plumber is almost finished and the painter will finish on Monday. The electrician comes Monday to finish off and we still haven’t bought the lights. We went to two places on the way home tonight and couldn’t see anything. Will go to another 2 on the way tomorrow – there’s one right beside the net café (and it was closed when we got here!). The other one is where we got the other lights and I figure even though there wasn’t anything we loved (or liked) before we’ll just have to make some choices anyway.
The rest of the screens go on the doors and windows tomorrow. The carpenter will come after Monday to finish off the doors which are still being stained. The curtains for everywhere except the “reception” (well the outside ones, the blackouts are done) will be put up on Thursday. We didn’t get to go buying furniture today – soon I hope. As soon as Masry gets his head a bit clear of company matters I guess. But I have to move in one week’s time. So I hope I have a bed at least. It’s great to see the ensuite finished and the big bathroom mostly, just no bench for the basin yet or towel racks etc. Everything else is in. I think it is going to be a beautiful house, it’s already got a nice feel.
I was going to have a fairly early night but Saturday Night Fever has just come on TV so I might just have to watch it all over again. Mind you I think I like the older John Travolta better but I need to brush up on my disco skills…. Hmmm his body wasn’t half bad really…. And Ley – I think you have those moves just right….
Anyway, soon I’m sure I’ll have more news than house news…
Lots of love to everyone
Lyndall
A box of wood
It’s Friday – a beautiful day, quite warm – and Masry has collected me at 2.00 pm after prayers at the mosque and there are a few things to do, hopefully to finish off a few things and bring a smile to everyone’s face!
Masry has been busy since I said goodnight to him yesterday evening – the car has been cleaned (mind you he gets it cleaned every few days and it’s always immaculate) – he’s bought the diaries for the Coasters and is ready for action. I notice the diary has a world map in the back; I can’t help but check out Australia and find it interesting that in this Egyptian diary, mostly in Arabic, the City of the Gold Coast is on the map. Masry notices me looking – “looking for your children” he says and he’s right of course. But the main thing I notice is that it’s a long way away.
I have finished Cloud Atlas this morning and now I really have nothing to read. I absolutely refuse to read anything I have yet AGAIN. I can nearly recite some of the handful of books I have by heart I think. After our abortive attempt to find La Maison Francaise in Degla Street yesterday, Masry had wanted me to bring the phone number so I have my copy of Egypt Today with all the bookshop phone numbers in it and sure enough the bookshop is supposed to be at 28 Degla.
So Masry says ring them and after I dial the number and get a recorded message – I’m supposed to put 02 in front of the number in the book, how am I supposed to know this I wonder – Masry dials it and gives it back to me. The conversation goes something like this:
Me: Hello, do you speak English?
Man on the other end of the phone: Yes, I speak English
Me: That’s great. Are you the bookshop in Degla Street?
Man: Degla Street Mohandaseen, yes
Me: So can you tell me please, do you have books in English?
Man: No – books?
Me: Yes books. So, only Arabic and French?
Man: Yes. Box?
Me: Books, you have books in Arabic and French?
Man: Box, you want a box? A box of wood.
Me: Books!
Man: Yes box, you want box? A box of wood?
Me: (Looking kind of bemused I think) Books! Books!
Masry: Give me the phone
Masry – some Arabic that I can basically understand as “Do you have books in English and French etc.”
A short conversation follows and Masry hangs up
Me: So no books in English? He kept asking me did I want a box of wood…
Masry: No, no books. I ask him about the books and he says – what are you talking about? This is a furniture shop!
Hysteria - well almost, tears at least. It’s not a bad way to start the day even if we still haven’t located a bookshop!
It’s been a good day. The voile was bought for the curtain sheers and all the lights except one bedroom also chosen and bought, a good price and very nice, although very classic in style and ornate with lots of gold and bulbs like candles. We delivered those to the house and checked out the ceilings again – they still look great!
And the first vehicle went out on its first job – the beginning of something grand and great I hope for Mohammad.
So now there’s hardly anything left to buy – drain covers, a doorbell, a peephole lens for the door, the big bathroom cabinet and some bits and bobs like soap holders and a mirror for the small bathroom. And then when all that’s done and the furniture has been bought the curtains for “reception” to be made. We’ve chosen the design but the fabric needs to be purchased and the curtains made. You’ll notice how I brush off buying the furniture so easily even though not all of it has been chosen. But it will all work out. Today I am a total optimist. Like I said, it’s been a good day!
Love to everyone
Lyndall
Masry has been busy since I said goodnight to him yesterday evening – the car has been cleaned (mind you he gets it cleaned every few days and it’s always immaculate) – he’s bought the diaries for the Coasters and is ready for action. I notice the diary has a world map in the back; I can’t help but check out Australia and find it interesting that in this Egyptian diary, mostly in Arabic, the City of the Gold Coast is on the map. Masry notices me looking – “looking for your children” he says and he’s right of course. But the main thing I notice is that it’s a long way away.
I have finished Cloud Atlas this morning and now I really have nothing to read. I absolutely refuse to read anything I have yet AGAIN. I can nearly recite some of the handful of books I have by heart I think. After our abortive attempt to find La Maison Francaise in Degla Street yesterday, Masry had wanted me to bring the phone number so I have my copy of Egypt Today with all the bookshop phone numbers in it and sure enough the bookshop is supposed to be at 28 Degla.
So Masry says ring them and after I dial the number and get a recorded message – I’m supposed to put 02 in front of the number in the book, how am I supposed to know this I wonder – Masry dials it and gives it back to me. The conversation goes something like this:
Me: Hello, do you speak English?
Man on the other end of the phone: Yes, I speak English
Me: That’s great. Are you the bookshop in Degla Street?
Man: Degla Street Mohandaseen, yes
Me: So can you tell me please, do you have books in English?
Man: No – books?
Me: Yes books. So, only Arabic and French?
Man: Yes. Box?
Me: Books, you have books in Arabic and French?
Man: Box, you want a box? A box of wood.
Me: Books!
Man: Yes box, you want box? A box of wood?
Me: (Looking kind of bemused I think) Books! Books!
Masry: Give me the phone
Masry – some Arabic that I can basically understand as “Do you have books in English and French etc.”
A short conversation follows and Masry hangs up
Me: So no books in English? He kept asking me did I want a box of wood…
Masry: No, no books. I ask him about the books and he says – what are you talking about? This is a furniture shop!
Hysteria - well almost, tears at least. It’s not a bad way to start the day even if we still haven’t located a bookshop!
It’s been a good day. The voile was bought for the curtain sheers and all the lights except one bedroom also chosen and bought, a good price and very nice, although very classic in style and ornate with lots of gold and bulbs like candles. We delivered those to the house and checked out the ceilings again – they still look great!
And the first vehicle went out on its first job – the beginning of something grand and great I hope for Mohammad.
So now there’s hardly anything left to buy – drain covers, a doorbell, a peephole lens for the door, the big bathroom cabinet and some bits and bobs like soap holders and a mirror for the small bathroom. And then when all that’s done and the furniture has been bought the curtains for “reception” to be made. We’ve chosen the design but the fabric needs to be purchased and the curtains made. You’ll notice how I brush off buying the furniture so easily even though not all of it has been chosen. But it will all work out. Today I am a total optimist. Like I said, it’s been a good day!
Love to everyone
Lyndall
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